Missouri middle school: Students failing homework? Then don't assign any

Monday, December 14, 2009 | 11:52 a.m. CST

BY
The Associated Press

BLOOMFIELD — It sounds like a student's dream — a school with little or no homework.

That's the plan for Bloomfield Middle School in southeast Missouri.

Administrators
noticed in recent years that more students were struggling and failing
classes. School officials cited a study that showed that much of the
problem was the result of either low homework scores or failure to turn
in homework assignments.

The goal is to reduce
the amount of lecture time in class and increase the amount of hands-on
instruction time. That way, students will do what used to be homework
in class with the teacher there to help them.

Superintendent Nick Thiele said once a student falls behind, it becomes increasingly difficult to get grades back up.

"When they get in that position, sometimes we can't help them," he said.

Principal
Kelly Renfroe, who announced the policy change in a letter earlier this
month, is hopeful the new approach will give students better study
skills they can carry with them into high school.

The letter sent home to parents outlined four goals:

Gain an accurate assessment of students' academic ability and knowledge.

Provide all students with work that is appropriate and challenging.

Provide students with immediate feedback as they complete assignments.

Provide rewards (when appropriate) to those working above and beyond.

The new policy will be implemented on a trial basis. A specific timetable was not announced.

"More help at the classroom level will
really benefit those students who don't finish their work at home,"
Thiele said.